Page 26 of Before and After

My nephew screwed up his face. “But he was a soldier.”

“I was,” Caden said quietly. “I fought for my country and to help others. It’s not always easy. And I can tell you something, bud. Shooting someone is the hardest thing a person ever has to do.” There was something in his voice. A touch of darkness. His gaze met mine for a long beat, then he focused back on Ollie. “It’s a hard job, but an important one. Now, I’m lucky because my job at Langston Hotels isn’t so dangerous. I can still help people and keep them safe.”

Ollie nodded.

I felt…something. Not sympathy, exactly. A man like Caden didn’t need or want that, but something.

“It’s important to keep people safe,” Ollie said. “Someone shot my mommy and daddy.”

My throat closed.God.

Caden stilled. “I’m sorry, buddy, that’s tough.”

Ollie nodded. “I miss them.”

I cleared my throat. “Lick that ice cream, little man. It’s going to melt.”

Soon, our ice creams were all finished.

“We’d better go.” I wiped my sticky fingers on my napkin, then wiped Ollie’s mouth. “We need to head to the grocery store.”

Caden rose with a nod. “I need to get back.”

“Thanks for the ice cream, Mr. Caden.”

“You’re welcome, Ollie.”

Then my nephew looked up at me. “Can I go to the playground?”

“Go.” I watched him dart away. He seemed lighter than he’d been in ages.

“He’s a good kid,” Caden said.

“He is. Sometimes, I think he’s teaching me more than I’m teaching him.”

Suddenly, Caden reached out. He touched the corner of my mouth, and I sucked in a breath. A tingling sensation spread over my cheek.

“You had a bit of ice cream there.” His voice sounded deeper, grittier.

“Oh.”

Then I watched him stick his thumb in his mouth and suck it clean.

My womb spasmed. I couldn’t breathe. I felt the urgent and desperate need to jump him.

I swallowed.

Caden gave me a long look, then nodded. “I’ll see you at work.”

He turned and moved into a powerful jog, and I watched him move away. Okay, I watched his ass. It was a damn fine one.

I pressed a palm to my chest. Oh, this was bad.

I was in lust with Caden “Broody” Castro.

Crap. I shook my head. I needed a cold shower—which I sure as hell wouldn’t do because I liked my showers scalding hot. But I did need to get a grip on this madness.

From the playground, Ollie waved. I needed to focus on Ollie and not the dark, muscled man that was getting under my skin.